Rancho Lomitas is about 7 miles northwest of Rio Grande City. From McAllen, take US 83, and drive west 34 miles to Rio Grande City. Take FM 755 north for 8 miles, and turn left at the green sign that says “La Sagunada Road.” Continue straight, and do not turn right at the fork to La Sagunada North Road. The road will be asphalt at first before becoming gravel. Continue for 5.5 miles, and turn left at the T, then continue 1/10 of a mile. Turn right, and continue about half a mile to the ranch gate with the brown and yellow Rancho Lomitas sign. For more information about Rancho Lomitas, check out the Web site: www.rancholomitas.com. To book a tour, call 956/486-2576. Write to Rancho Lomitas, Box 442, Rio Grande City 78582; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tours are scheduled Sep-May. Fees: $15 per person for more than 20 people (children pay half price), $225 per tour for fewer than 20 people, $5 per student for school groups of at least 20 children. Tour dates are available that do not require a minimum number of participants. Individuals who want to see birds and butterflies at their own pace without taking a tour can visit for $5 per day. Visitors should call ahead and let Benito or Toni know they are coming. If the gate is not open when visitors arrive, they should honk loudly. Sidewalks around the patio and butterfly gardens have no steps, making them easily accessible to the handicapped. Benito will assist those with special needs who wish to take a tour.

For more on cooking with native plants, look for Mesquite Country—Tastes and Traditionsfrom the Tip of Texas (Museum of South Texas History, 1996). The book is available for $19.95 at the Museum of South Texas History bookstore in Edinburg; 956/383-6911; www.mosthistory.org.

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Published monthly by the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages travel to and within the Lone Star State and tells the Texas story to readers around the world.